There's an App for That!: New Directions Using Social Media in Patient Education and Support

Social media has opened the door of information to patients and fundamentally changed communication in ways never imagined 30 years ago. Apps and Web sites from professional organizations as well as private individuals and commercial businesses abound. Opportunities for both research and unique forms of social and emotional support are part of the trend. While there are obvious advantages to having so much information available, social media has disadvantages as well. Today's clinicians need to understand how to access and evaluate social media for patient education and provide guidance for patients seeking health information from the cloud.